Australian supermarket chain Coles is planning to invest in farms to extend the selling seasons of popular fruits and vegetables.
Coles managing director John Durkan said that the company wants to make more investments to ensure the availability of popular produce in Australia, regardless of its season, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
According to Durkan, investments made in shade cloth covers for two strawberry growers had extended the season, ensuring more Australian strawberries for Coles.
Durkan was quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald as saying: "They're basically small investments but they do wonders in terms of the growing seasons for products.
"So I see plenty of opportunity for both the supply side and also for the consumer because strawberries and mangoes are impulse purchases, and actually the more products we have at the right prices the more we sell."
The supermarket giant has already made several investments in food in recent years, through direct investments, joint ventures and supply deals.
Recently, Coles signed a long-term supply deal with dairy co-op Murray Goulburn for its private-label fresh milk, the news report said.
